Clinical Experiences of Transarterial Embolization after Abdominal Surgery in Trauma Patients

Hwang, Min Jung; Lee, Ho Kyun; Choi, Soo Jin Na; Chung, Sang Young

Abstract

PURPOSE
Transarterial embolization has been known as an effective nonsurgical treatment for selected patients with intraabdominal hemorrhage. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical outcomes of transarterial embolization after emergency operation in the blunt abdominal trauma patients with hemoperitoneum.
METHODS
Between January 2004 and December 2008, a total of 13 consecutive blunt abdominal trauma patients with intraabdominal hemorrhage who received transarterial embolization after abdominal surgery were included. The characteristics, procedures, and the clinical outcomes of patients were analyzed, retrospectively.
RESULTS
There were 6 males and 7 females. Age ranged between 21 and 77 years (mean 42.3 years). The most common injured organ was the liver (10 patients, 76.9%), and the most common embolized artery was hepatic artery (8 patients, 61.5%). Transarterial embolizations were intended to control the continued bleeding (9 patients, 69.2%), delayed bleeding (3 patients), and arteriovenous fistula (1 patient). Further, technical success was achieved in all 13 patients. One of 13 patients died of multiorgan failure. No procedure-related complications were observed.
CONCLUSION
Angiography has a high detection rate of bleeding sites in patients with intraabdominal hemorrhage after blunt abdominal trauma. Transarterial embolization is considered as an effective and safe method in the management of intraabdominal hemorrhage after abdominal surgery in trauma patients.